Student artwork to be exhibited at Newark Public Library on Saturday, January 17th
NEWARK, N.J. – Several district students have earned honors in American Institute of Architects of the Newark & Suburban Area’s student art Contest. The contest, called “The Holidays,” was an architecture-inspired competition that invited students to explore how buildings and places shape their experiences during the holiday season.
As part of their recognition, the students’ artwork will be exhibited at the Newark Public Library as part of a Student Art Show. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 17th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., celebrating the creativity and artistic achievement of participating students.
“Our students continue to show that creativity and critical thinking go hand in hand,” said Superintendent León. “Opportunities like this contest allow students to see how their ideas, perspectives, and artistic talents can engage with the world around them while reinforcing that their voices and creativity matter.”
The following Newark Public Schools students earned honors in the contest:
Gold Award Recipients
- Arts High School
Leeza Donnell (Grade 10), teacher: Kennis Fairfax - East Side High School
Heidy Larin (Grade 12), teacher: Denisse Soto - First Avenue School
Adrianna Rodriguez (Grade 6), teacher: Genese Gonzalez - Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design
Bianca Costa (Grade 9), teacher: Principal Soraia Mendes - Salomé Ureña Elementary School
Alicia Bustamante (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Silver Award Recipients
- Arts High School
Paul Freire-Ramon (Grade 11), teacher: Keshna Desir
Daniel Neves (Grade 12), teacher: Keshna Desir
Mayra Elizabeth Sapatanga Guncay (Grade 9), teacher: Michelle Alexander - Barringer High School
Asael Serrano (Grade 12), teacher: Richard Martin - East Ward Elementary School
Ana Clara Bucher (Grade 8), teacher: Nicole Bias - First Avenue School
Ashley Gomez Barbecho (Grade 8), teacher: Genese Gonzalez
Jacob Rivera (Grade 6), teacher: Genese Gonzalez - Franklin School
Naomi Poma (Grade 7), teacher: Lauren Vroegindewey - Hawkins Street School
Izabella Alves Dos Reis (Grade 6), teacher: Marisol Caraballo - Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology
Aolani Perez (Grade 12), teacher: Reinaldo Felix - Salomé Ureña Elementary School:
Ryan Chhangur (Grade 6), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Kenyah Miranda (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Bronze Award Recipients
- Arts High School
Tashida Peterson (Grade 12), teacher: Keshna Desir
Antonella Salinas (Grade 9), teacher: Michelle Alexander
Fadima Sidibe (Grade 11), teacher: Keshna Desir
Nathaly Guadalupe Villa-Cruz (Grade 9), teacher: Michelle Alexander - East Ward Elementary School
Ana Luiza Batista Da Silva (Grade 8), teacher: Nicole Bias
Lavinia Eduarda De Sousa (Grade 8), teacher: Nicole Bias
Deyver Ulloa (Grade 8), teacher: Nicole Bias - First Avenue School
Alex Munzon Rojas (Grade 7), teacher: Genese Gonzalez - Oliver Street School
Jeyli Vivanco Garcia (Grade 8), teacher: Rosalie Nascimento - Roberto Clemente School
Yohana Aguilar-Funes (Grade 7), teacher: Randi Wolfman
Grace Frias (Grade 7), teacher: Randi Wolfman
Steysi Montoya-Castellanos (Grade 7), teacher: Randi Wolfman
Annabela Rosa (Grade 7), teacher: Randi Wolfman
Alexa Ulerio (Grade 7), teacher: Randi Wolfman - Salomé Ureña Elementary School
Jeremy Castro (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Douglas Solano (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Honor Award Recipients
- Avon Avenue School
Desiree Velez (Grade 8), teacher: Timothy Carr - Camden Street School
Nalialyz Orellano (Grade 8), teacher: Serifatu Alaka-Hughes - Dr. William H. Horton School
Isabel Barona (Grade 8), teacher: Anthony Finn
Micaela Tacuchi (Grade 6), teacher: Jeannette Madriz - Eagle Academy for Young Men
Jeddar Cole (Grade 12), teacher: Melanie Grey - East Ward Elementary School
Jaqueline Cruz (Grade 8), teacher: Nicole Bias - First Avenue School
Jason Gutierrez (Grade 7), teacher: Genese Gonzalez - Franklin School
Sebastian Carrillo (Grade 6), teacher: Lauren Vroegindewey
Scarlett Llundo (Grade 6), teacher: Lauren Vroegindewey - Grover Cleveland Elementary School
Titobiloluwa Winnie Ayetan (Grade 7), teacher: Alyson Daikalo - Louise A. Spencer School
Angelique Minagua (Grade 6), teacher: Josephine Barreiro-Cruz - Salomé Ureña Elementary School
Chanty Abreu (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Tiffani Flores (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Sheyla Medina (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Nnenne Oseagulu (Grade 8), teacher: Dawn Maglio
Ashley Recinos (Grade 6), teacher: Dawn Maglio
The contest encouraged students to submit original artwork featuring architecture as a central element, while reflecting the spirit and atmosphere of the holiday season.
“These honors reflect not only the talent of our students, but also the dedication of the educators who nurture creativity in our classrooms every day,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “We are proud to celebrate students whose work shows imagination, skill, and a deep connection to their community.”